Friday July 3, 2020

My dear family,
Greetings in the Lord Jesus! Happy Independence Day Weekend!
Ways to Find Peace While Transitioning out of Quarantine
God Makes Things New
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
The Israelites found themselves in a new place-literally and figuratively. Despite the prophecies about the possibility of exile, the reality felt unexpected for those experiencing it. It felt unfair, confusing, uncomfortable and painful. Yet, God reminded them in its midst that they were not out of His sight. In fact, life was being planted in the wilderness.
What “new thing” is God planting in your heart? The pandemic brought to light narratives of others that you may not have recognized before.
People have found creative ways to share resources and time helping various neighbors in need: hungry families, sewing masks for medical personnel, running errands for shut-ins, sharing artistic talents to keep up morale.
Emily P. Freeman, in her book, The Next Right Thing, writes, “God often gives a faint vision of things before they ever come to be. It’s not a full form, more of a shadow, not focused or clear. It doesn’t comes with steps or money or sure things but it does come with hope. And hope is what keeps you going in the fog.”
What awareness or passion has sprung up that will flow into a new season of life?
THIS WEEKEND :
Today, Friday, July 3rd, there will be no 5 pm confessions or 6 pm Mass.
The parish office is also closed today.
Saturday, the 4th of July, is Independence Day. As is our custom, it will be a day of special prayer for our beloved Nation the defense of religious freedom, and the 9 am Mass will be the special Mass of Independence Day. Our nation needs prayer so greatly right now! Only God can solve our problems and heal our wounds. I do hope we will all try to keep our nation in our prayers as we approach Independence Day!
There will be 2:30 pm confessions and the 5 pm Vigil Mass on July 4th.
MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - Biblical Hope For Mental Health
I have been so happy with how many people have been joining us for this important Bible study, and what positive feedback I have been receiving!
This Monday, July 6th, we are going to study "The Battle for Your Mind". There are dark forces that want to control our mind and lead us into great unhappiness. But the Word of God tells us how we can defeat these foes of our well-being, and have the mental self-control that comes from the Holy Spirit! Join us, either on the website (stanm.com) or on the parish app. This Monday, 7 pm.
HOW TO GO TO MASS:
1. All Masses - just show up. But remember that we have to close off the church when we reach 250 people in attendance.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Be prepared to receive Communion in the hand.
IF WE REACH 250 PEOPLE AT A MASS, and a person arrives after that, they will be invited to come to another Mass, or they can go to their car and wait, and they will be allowed to join the Communion line at the end of Mass. Together with this, we are now broadcasting every Sunday Mass on our new low-wattage FM transmitter, at 106.5 FM. You can receive this signal from anyplace in the parking lot of the church. If you still do not feel comfortable going into the church for Mass, you can listen to it in your car and at the end of Mass come in to receive Holy Communion!
CONFESSIONS:
Weekdays: 8 am and 5  pm
Saturday: 8 am and 2:30 pm
BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES,SICK CALLS and FUNERALS are all taking place, albeit under the restrictions mandated by the Archbishop and the Governor. Just call the parish office and we will gladly help you with the preparations needed.
PLEASE SHARE ALL THIS INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET!
HOLINESS TIP : words of wisdom from St. John of the Cross:
“Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.”
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
Real quotes from church bulletins......
The class on prophecy has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Illiterate? Write to the church office for help.
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: as we prepare for Independence Day...
God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people.
Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

I send you my fatherly blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen !
Msgr. Doug Raun